Young lovers have a hard enough time staying together without being forced to cope with the
collapse of civilization.

Actors’ Theatre of Columbus aims to raise the dramatic stakes in
Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare’s romantic tragedy, with a post-apocalyptic update. The
production will open on Friday at Columbus Commons, E. Rich and S. High streets.

“With post-apocalyptic shows like
The Walking Dead and
Under the Dome, that’s something culturally appealing to a lot of people right now,”
director Ross Shirley said.

“What happens when society as we know it crumbles? Part of people’s consciousness today is a
fear that if we lose the world as we know it through war, or destroy our planet, what will we be
left with?”

Instead of sword fights, the characters will use modern weapons in skirmishes reminiscent of
guerrilla warfare. The costumes by Dayton Edward Willison, meanwhile, will evoke neo-punk fashion
with hints of the black leather and rags of the
Mad Maxfilms.

Above all, Shirley wanted his version of
Romeo and Juliet to be both dangerous and fun, full of blood, guts and spirit.

“When you set Shakespeare in a different time or setting or a new concept, you create an
opportunity to engage people to see the plays in a new way,” he said.

Framed by futuristic ruins that suggest a crumbling mansion being partly rebuilt, the two-act
production is designed to appeal to a wider, younger audience.

“When young kids find each other in this world they know is gone, it drives them closer
together,” Shirley said.

“And when everyone has to fend for themselves in a violent and chaotic world, it will be even
more meaningful and appealing for Romeo and Juliet to discover their innocent love.”

Daniel Turek, 19, plays Romeo.

“Romeo is more impulsive, more open about what he’s thinking,” Turek said. “That’s part of his
character, but that comes out well in this new setting.”

The updated version, Turek said, sweeps audiences into a heightened drama about two young lovers
holding onto the last scraps of humanity.

“I’m a fan of Shakespeare when it’s done in a different way, and this futuristic setting adds a
lot of flavor and interesting costumes, sets and acting styles,” he said.

Grace Bolander, 17, plays the innocent Juliet.

“Juliet, having been kept away from the dangers in the world by her parents, doesn’t quite know
what to do with herself,” Bolander said.

“Falling in love for the first time and so new to her surroundings, she’s doubly innocent in the
world.”

Bolander, a senior at Columbus School for Girls, appeared in two Actors’ Theatre collaborations
with her school, playing Elizabeth Proctor in
The Crucible and appearing in the Greek chorus of
The Trojan Women.

She’s a fan of the first film version of
Romeo and Juliet that she saw: director Franco Zeffirelli’s opulent 1968 Oscar winner,
notable for casting actors for the two title roles close to the age of the teenage characters.

“I got caught up in the romance,” she said.

“As I’ve gotten older, I appreciate more the theme of the necessity of adults recognizing what’s
important of their children’s wants and needs. You can’t write it off just because they’re young.
Adults need to pay attention to the young people in their lives.”

Like Zeffirelli, Shirley has cast younger actors to match the leads and other younger roles.

“Ross wants it to have that young feeling, and I think that’s great,” Bolander said.

“It gives an even greater context for the situation they’re in — not just the tension between
the two families but the tensions of living in such a volatile and unpredictable world.”